BNL: Last-quarter drubbing denies Melton share of A grade top spot 

MELTON missed its chance to take a share of top spot on the Ballarat Netball League A grade ladder after losing by seven goals to East Point on Saturday.

Sunbury beat North Ballarat City by 25 goals leaving the door open for the Bloods to join North City on 32 points at the top of the table. But instead it was East Point with its 40-33 victory that moved into second, on 32 points behind North City on percentage only.

Melton (28) remains third, half a game ahead of Sunbury Lions (26) with Redan back in fifth on 22.

Melton led at every change on Saturday before being overrun by a 15-6 final quarter from East Point, led by teenage shooter Lauren Jew (26 goals) and captain Jess McGowan.

Amy Conroy, Jess Bartlett and Brooke Thompson were better players for the Bloods.

Bacchus Marsh was blasted out of the top six by Redan, who dished out an 81-15 hiding.

Bacchus Marsh (4-4) dropped from fifth to seventh, overtaken by Redan and Lake Wendouree.

The Lakers led start to finish against Darley to record a 48-30 win. Elyce Carlyle, Olivia Aughton and Talei Bari were Darley’s best, but the Devils couldn’t overcome a 19-7 opening quarter that set up Lake Wendouree’s match-winning lead.

Melton South is still searching for its first win after a 44-56 loss to Sebastopol.